CDs down, but not out

While sales of CDs have plummeted faster than a free falling grenade, the recording industry claims there is life in this technology yet.

Vivendi boss, Jean-Bernard Levy, told a music conference at the MIDEM Music Mart that there will be sales of physical (CD and vinyl) products for many years to come. Sony BMG's Thomas Hesse agrees, saying that you cant talk down the physical market.

Thirty percent of Americans don't have Internet access, for example, and still buy music, Hesse noted. Apparently, what might prop the industry up is artists that include added value, such as extra tracks or information about the band along with the CD.